New Delhi: The Centre has planned to erect a colossal statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate as a symbol of India's "indebtedness" to the legendary independence struggle hero. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this on Friday, ahead of Netaji's 125th birth anniversary, saying the magnificent statue will be built of granite and that a hologram statue of Netaji will be placed there till it is complete.

The PM went on to say that the holographic statue would be unveiled on Netaji's birthday, January 23. Anita Bose-Pfaff, Netaji's daughter who resides in Germany, described the Centre's action as a "wonderful gesture." "At a time when the entire nation is commemorating Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birthday, I am pleased to announce that his big granite statue will be placed at India Gate." Mr Modi said, "This will be a symbol of India's debt to him."

The granite statue would be 28 feet long and six feet wide, according to official sources, and its installation will be an instance of India "reclaiming" its history. The statue will be placed beneath a canopy that previously housed a statue of King George V, which was decommissioned in 1968.

The declaration came on the same day that the administration was criticized by the opposition for its intention to extinguish the flame at India Gate's Amar Jawan Jyoti and unite it with the eternal flame at the National War Memorial. Official authorities, however, defended the move, claiming that the light was not being extinguished but rather combined with the one at the National War Memorial.

Modi govt extinguished flame of 'Amar Jawan Jyoti'?

PM Modi greets Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley on her re-election

PM's dominance persists! Modi tops list of world's 'most popular' leaders